Walking aid



Dec. 24, 1946. VRQQMAN ET AL I 2,413,202

WALKING AID Filed Aug. 22, 1945 Patented Dec. 241, 1946 WALKING AID Leon Vrooman and Stanley Smalley, Gloversville, N. Y.

Application August 22, 1945, Serial No. 612,110

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device designed for use by persons to assist in walking and to be used in lieu of crutches or canes.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will provide a substantial support for persons using it, and one which will appreciably assist a person in maintaining his balance While walking.

Another object of the invention is to provide a walking aid which will permit a person to Walk in an upright or natural walking position, and without the pain and discomfort due to pressure being directed under the armpits, as resulting from the use of crutches.

Still another object of the invention is to so arrange the legs of the device with respect to the handle, that the device when in use, may be gripped with both hands by more seriously injured persons, and that as the person recovers control of his limbs, the device may be used with one hand, pushing the device before him, to the end that the device may be adapted for use by persons in various stages of physical recovery.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device to assist in walking, including a handle and a pair of forwardly inclined legs secured adjacent to one end of the handle, and a third leg extending rearwardly from the opposite end of the handle and an oblique angle with respect to the handle, with the result that the device may be easily controlled, especially in restricted areas.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device comprises a main bar 5 which is formed with a groove in the rear end thereof, the groove being disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the upper and lower edges of the main bar. The upper end of the rear leg 6 is secured within this groove, to the end that the rear leg 6 extends rearwardly and downwardly.

The main bar is formed with an enlargement 8 spaced from the rear end of the main bar, which enlargement is formed with grooves in the outer faces thereof, for the reception of the forward legs 9 of the device. The grooves in the enlargement 8 are so disposed that the legs 9 which are secured within the grooves, by means of the bolt and winged nut l0, diverge toward the free ends thereof, providing an exceptionally rigid support to prevent lateral movement of the support.

Brace bars H connect the front legs 9 with the rear leg 6, the brace bars H being secured to the leg members, by means of the bolts I2 and winged nuts I3.

The main bar is so shaped as to provide a handle I4 which is disposed between the rear legs 6 and front legs 9, the end l5 of the main bar being also shaped to provide a handle, and since it extends forwardly beyond the front legs 9, this handle may be conveniently gripped by the person using the device with two hands.

When the device is used with one hand, the device is moved over the surface with the forward leg members 9 moving in advance of the leg member 6, the persons feet moving on opposite sides of the leg 6. Due to this particular arrangement of leg members, the device is supported against lateral movement, as well as forward tilting movement.

When the device is to be used with both hands, the handle sections I 4 and 15 may be gripped simultaneously, and the device moved or slid over the floor with the persons legs moving between the legs 9 and It, the persons left leg being adjacent to the legs 9 of the device, while the persons right leg will be adjacent to the single leg 6 of the device.

It might be further stated that because the front legs 9 of the device are disposed directly opposite to each other, and that the rear leg 6 is inclined away from the main bar 5, the device may be readily slid along the floor with little resistance.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a main bar, a rear leg member connected to one end of the main bar, forward leg members connected to the bar at a point spaced from the opposite end of the main bar, a portion of the main bar being extended beyond the pair of leg members providing a handle, and the portion between the forward leg members and the rear leg member providing a handle.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a main bar, a single leg member rigidly connected to one end of the main bar and being extended therefrom at an oblique angle with respect to the main bar, a. pair of leg members rigidly connected to the main bar at a point spaced from the opposite end of the main bar, that portion of the main bar extending beyond said pair of leg members providing a. handle, and

'4 that portion of the bar between the leg members at the ends of the main bar being rounded, providing a second handle, whereby the device may be operated with one or both hands.

LEON VROOMAN. STANLEY SMALLEY. 

